Fighting erupts in Upper Nile near Malakal

PAGAK/JUBA (26 Jan.) Clashes broke out on Wednesday morning on west bank areas near Malakal town in Upper Nile between Aguelek and SPLA, a rebel spokesman said.

Col. William Gatjiath Deng, military spokesman of the SPLA-IO, told Radio Tamazuj that the government forces had attacked their troops led by Gen. Johnson Olony between Wau Shilluk and Owach areas, but they were repulsed.

“A convoy of Gen. Olony was attacked by the government forces in an area between Wau Shilluk and Owach, so the clashes broke out and the fighting continued for two hours, but we managed to repulse them,” said Gatjiath.

For his part, Santo Domic, deputy spokesman of the SPLA, denied knowledge of any clashes with the SPLA-IO faction in South Sudan, claiming their government has already embarked on the national dialogue.

“I don’t have any information, no clashes in the country, South Sudan has embarked on the national dialogue, so there is no fighting in the country,” said Santo.